Writing Center

1
Writing Center

• Appointment Scheduling System
• Peter Ellis Project Lead
• Conrad Gudgel Project Team Member

2
Problem Statement

• Schedule Appointments for Students to meet with
  Tutors
• Track number of appointments by week or by
  quarter
• Keep statistical information

3
Goals

• Replace current scheduling system.
• Easier to use (fewer steps needed.)
• Less maintenance / downtime.
• Customize to meet users needs.
• WebBased Application.
• OnLine Access.
• Multiple users.

4
Approach

• Use PHP for server-side processing.
• Use MsSQL Database to assure support from Network
  Services.
• Develop with maximum portability in mind.
• Use both Linux and Windows Based Operating
  Systems.
• Use both Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla
  Firefox Browsers.
• Concurrent development using both PHP version 4
  5.

5
Resources(Tools we needed.)

• Eclipse IDE
• http//eclipse.org
• PHP for Eclipse
• http//phpeclipse.de
• XAMPP (Apache, PHP, Pearl MySql) - Works with
  PHP on Eclipse
• http//www.apachefriends.org/en/xampp.html
• Postgres (Initial MsSQL connectivity was
  unavailable.)
• http//www.postgresql.org
• Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Desktop Engine
• http//www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?Fa
  milyID413744d1-a0bc-479f-bafa-e4b278eb9147Displa
  yLangen
• Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express
• http//www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?Fa
  milyID82afbd59-57a4-455e-a2d6-1d4c98d40f6eDispla
  yLangen

6
Accomplishments

• Determined the business rules of the writing
  center and how our application will help to
  enforce them.
• We were able to use PHP and MsSQL together.
• Designed a database scheme to support the kind of
  information our program will need.
• Significant functionality has been coded.

7
AccomplishmentsSpecific program functionality

• Database interfaces for all the database tables.
• User sign in using CAS authentication.
• UI Screens showing availability of tutors
• Weekly availability (for all times that a center
  is open).
• Monthly availability (days each tutor is
  available).
• Scheduling functionality against constraints
• Tutor available, no other appointments during
  this timeslot.
• Student has had no more than 1 other appointment
  this week.
• Student has had no other appointments this day.
• Ability to schedule weekly (recurring)
  appointments.
• Generation of statistical information from the
  database.

8
Programming Challenges

• User-friendly display of scheduling information
• Try to make a graphical display format using html
  text formatting.
• Overcome inconsistencies between browsers.
• Determining when a tutor is available for an
  appointment
• Must have availability (able to make
  appointments).
• Must not already have an appointment during this
  time.
• Setting up weekly appointments
• Check every day for the rest of the quarter.
• Check every time during the day for availability.
• Keep overhead to a minimum (not hundreds of
  queries!).
• Determine if a student has been scheduled
• Maximum of 2 appointments per week.
• Maximum of 1 appointment per day.

9
What we have learned

• Desired functionality will continue to expand
  indefinitely.
• Coding the basic functions doesnt make coding
  the complex functions any easier.
• Design decisions minimizing complexity in one
  area will probably increase complexity in another
  area.
• There is never enough time for everything.

10
Plans for Spring Quarter

• Finish basic functionality (by week 2).
• User testing and feedback.
• Final polishing, added functionality.
• Deployment by Network Services.
• Infinite Financial rewards.

11
Example Screen-ShotsMain Administrative Screen
12
Example Screen-ShotsMain Tutor Screen
Fill in student Number
Sign in student Or make appointment
13
Example Screen-ShotsScheduling An Appointment
Step 1
No appointment found So set one up
Select Date Option
Click To Select Tutor
Select Tutor Option
14
Example Screen-ShotsScheduling An Appointment
Step 2
Color Indicates Location
Times Tutors Are Available
Click an open block To schedule the appointment
Every Tutor Available On the Day You Selected
15
Questions?